Pressure cooking device



Sept. 16, 1952 J. L. MURRAY 2,610,764

PRESSURE COOKING DEVICE Filed June 13, 1945 3 Sheets$heet 1 l uvvmron JE'ROME L. MURRAY BY A rramYi/S Sept. 16, 1952 J. MURRAY PRESSURE COOKING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 13, 1945 Sept. 16, 1952 Filed June 13, 1945 J. L. MURRAY 2,610,764

PRESSURE COOKING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JEROME L. MURRAY BY //1 @W WWW 4 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 16, 1952 PATENT A I E" PRESSURE COOKING DEVICE .l'erome L. Murray, New York, N. Y. Application June 13, 1945, Serial No. 599,263

6' Claims.

This invention relates to pressure cookers and the like. I

One object of the invention is a novel and improved pressure cooker which is characterized by its simplicity in construction and manipulation and by the economy with which it may be manufactured. I

A further object of the invention is a pressure cooker of the above indicated character whose operation is characterized by minimum food contamination by the material of sealing means, by the ready cleaning and replaceability of'the sealing means, and by the simplicity with which the closure may be held on the pressure pot or vessel against pressures therewithin.

A further object ofthe invention is a novel and improved pressure cooker wherein the closure is so constructed as to be retained in closed sealing position by a retaining means pivotally engaging one side of the closure and by the opposite side of the closure assuming a tilted position to. bind against the interior of the receptacle and thereby cause the binding action to oppose the lifting action of the pressure. v

A further object of the invention is a novel and improved pressure closure which is characterized by the readiness with which it may be adapted to and used with conventional cooking pots and vessels.

Other objects of the invention will hereinafter appear.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, wherein-'- Fig. 1 isa top view of a pressure cooker embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification with certain parts omitted; I

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modification with certain parts omitted;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modification with certain parts omitted; Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating another modification;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view thereof Fig. 8a is a sectional view illustrating the ball lug 54, 55. 7 Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of apart of the casing;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of safety valve means; f

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a safety fuse means; I

the.

2 Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the pressure gauge unit; s Fig. 12a is a modification of the pressure'gauge unit; Fig. 13 embodying the invention;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a bodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings, my invention as embodied in a pressure cooking pot or vessel of conventional cylindrical form indicated atl and having a suitable'handle --2 fastened to one side thereof adjacent the top of the vessel I. The closure for the vessel l comprises a cover 3 which engages or rests upon the rim 1 of the vessel and in the particular embodiment shown the cover 3 is made of larger diameter than the diameter of the vessel 1 with" the periphery 3' of the disc projecting beyondthe rim 1 The closure also comprises a depend ing annular flange or skirt 4 integrally formed with or rigidly attachedto the underside of'thej disc 3 and extending down into the vessel 1.

is a plan view of an ovalshaped funit four-sided unit cm This flange or skirt 4 has an external diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of the interior of the vessel i so as to fit loosely therein and to be capable of assuming a slight tilting position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This flange 4 isprovided at a point intermediate its width and on the exterior thereof with a groove 5, this groove being in a plane parallel to the cover 3.

may as, for example. compositions, etc. It is b'oth-compressible'and resilientand is of a depth to project beyond the outer cylindrical surface 4' of the flange so as sealingly to engage the inner cylindrical surface I of the cooking vessel in both the non-tilted and tilted positions. In the particular embodi'-' ment shown the sealing ring 6 is of circular cross section but it may assume any desired or suitable form. I

The closure also comprises a holding or re-' taining means ID for pivotally engaging and holding the one 'side of the closing cover 3, namely the side adjacent the handle 2. This retaining means comprises a U-shaped part H straddling the part 2' of the handle and being I have illustrated this groove is positioned a sealing -ring6 which be of any conventional sealingring material rubber, rubber-like materials U-shaped part II slightly greater than a right angle so as to be disposed generally parallel to the upper surface I3 of the cover 3 which slopes upwardly at a small angle from the periphery 3' towards the center of the disc. The holder I is preferably provided with a means for anchoring it to the handle part 2 against slippage lengthwise of the latter, and this anchoring means comprises in the particular embodiment shown a transverse groove I4 formed on the under side of the handle part 2 for the reception and accommodation of the bottom of the U-shaped part II of the holder. Preferably also the holder is provided with means for anchoring the arms I 2 to the upper surface I3 of the closing disc so as to prevent any tendency of the arms I2 to slip along the surface I3. For this purpose the cover 3 is provided on its upper surface I3 with two shallow recesses I within which are disposed bosses or the like formed on the arms I2. In the particular embodiment shown these bosses I2 are formed on the ends of the arms I2, the recesses I5 being positioned so as to ac commodate and tend to hold the arms I2 in the holding positionwith the U-shaped part I I straddling the handle part 2' and. disposed in the groove I4. These recesses I5 may be circular grooves extending all the wayaround the surface I3; so that the cover can be fitted in any position within the 360. The holder I8 is thus wholly detachably mounted, this holder being readily moved over as indicated in dotted, lines in Fig. 2 to release the. closure 3, 4 for removal from the vessel I.

When it is desired todopressure cooking it is only necessary to insert the closure 3, 4 on the vessel I with the flange or skirt 4 disposedwithin the vessel I. With the cover 3-thus resting on the rim I, of the vessel, the holding means Ills then brought over'to' the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the U-shaped part I I dis-- posed in the groove I4 of the handlev part 2 and the bosses I2 of the parallel arms I2 disposed in the recesses I5.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the approximate relative positions of the parts with a pressure above at-= mospheric within the vessel I. The holder I0 holds one side of the closure either directly against or close tothe rim I-' ofthe vessel I; at a point adjacent the handle, but this holding is a pivot-like one permitting the closure to tilt upwardly about this point with thesidediametrically opposite from the handle 2 being lifted until the peripheral edge I6 of the downwardly depending annular flange orskirt 4 engages the interior of the vessel I on that side. is thus retained against the pressures within the cooker by the combined holding efiects of the holder I0 and the binding of the opposite side of the flange or skirt 4 against the interior of thecooker with the binding action assuming the greater part of the load. This renders possible the use of the simple loosely mountedholder I!) which is required merely to assist in the tilting action. An. effective seal. is maintained atall times by the sealing ring 6 which is both compressible and resilient and is deep enough to project beyond the cylindrical surface 4 of the flange 4 so as-to engage the wall of the pot; The

sealing ring 6 is compressed againstthe interior of thevessel I when the'closure is inserted upon and within the vessel. It is readily. removable and replaceable by springing it out of the groove 5 when the closure is removed from the vessel. By this means impaired or worn out rings may The closure be readily replaced. The sealing rings are not only readily replaceable but they are carried by the closure, instead of by the vessel I as in certain conventional structures, and accordingly when the closure is removed there is no rubber or like sealing means carried by the vessel to contaminate the food and the vessel I is easy to wash and clean, having no sealing grooves or seals carried thereby. The sealing ring 6 may be readily removed for cleaning the groove 5 and cleaning the sealing ring 6 if desired. The structure is further characterized by its marked simplicity and few parts. The holder I!) may be formed of bar. or rod stock and may be cheaply formed.

- The closure with the disc and the flange 4 may be also inexpensively manufactured of metal or other suitable material. The closure combination may be manufactured and sold as separate units and used with conventional cylindrical cookers or pots I. If the conventional cooker should not be provided with a groove I4 for the reception of the holder I0 such a groove may be easily formed by filing or the like therein.

At I1 I have indicated a safety plug for releasing excessive pressures. and this may be a conventional rubber safety plug. .At I8 I haveindicated a conventional pressure release or regulator which may be provided if desired.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4 a different sealing ring 20 is shown. It embodies. a generally rectangular cross-section and it has a wire ZI embedded in one corner thereof, namely the outside corner opposite the pressure-side.

In the modification of Fig. 5 the invention is illustrated as appliedtoa vessel 22 having a pours. ing spout or lip 23. The skirt or flange-4 of the closure is thus relatively deeper than the flange of the modification of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 so as to bring the groove 5 and the sealing ring 6 down below the bottom 23. of the spout.

The embodiment of Fig. 6 is adaptable to dif-- ferent size pots or vessels I and in this particular embodiment the closure is designed for only two different size pots, as for example, pots of 10." diameter and. 14" diameter. The closure comprises a lid or disc part 25 havinga flange.

part 26 and a shoulder or lip part 27 resting on the rim of the pot I.

handle part 2' andis anchored lengthwise of the upper ends of the legs of the U-shaped part 28 are turned over at substantially right angles to form parallel arms 29 which in the operative position are disposed in a recess or groove 30 formed above the shoulder 21. The embodiment illustrated is the smaller diameter pot or vessel I. For a pot of larger diameter, the closure is provided with a flange or straight edge 3| for fitting into a pot or vessel of that diameter and a shoulder or lip 27 is provided for resting upon the rim of the pot. A recess or slot 30, is provided above the lip or shoulder 21' for the reception of the bent arms 29 of the holder comprising the U-part 28 which engages the handle at the groove similar to the groove I4 of the larger pot. This has all the advantages in construction and operation above set forth with respect to the modifications in Figs. 1 to 5 and in addition has the advantage of being adaptable for use cooker tilts the closure 25 as described. above;-

The holding means com-. prises a U-shaped part 28 which straddles the.

tilting movement and is wholly removable for cleansing. The closure and holder are separate and form the whole closure combination which cooperatively functions with cookers of conventional cylindrical form. I In the embodiment of FigsJZ-Q I have illustratedthe invention as embodied .ina pressure cooking pot or vessel of conventional cylindrical form indicated at 40 and having a suitable handle 41 fastenedito one side thereof adjacent the open- 7 ing or top of the vessel '40. .The. closure'for the vessel 49 comprises'a disc or-lid'42'which is adapted tore'st on the periphery or rim 40'eof the vessel. In this embodiment the discor lid 42 is made of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the pot 4B. The closure orlid 42 carries underneath a cylindrical surface skirt 43 whichis integrally formed with .or rigidly attached to the underside of the disc 42. This cylindrical skirt 43 fits with a certain looseness or play inside the vessel 40 to provide for a slight tilting for binding against the interior of the pot, as for example, a play of .040 inch for a pot or vessel 40 of 7 inches diameter. This skirt is provided with agroove 46 formed in the outer surface thereof and surrounding the same, and in this groove is contained a suitable sealing ring.45, this sealing ring being of anysuitable sealingmaterial asjfor example, rubber, irubber-like materials, compositions, etc. This sealing ring 45 is illustrated as of circular cross-section but. it may be of any shape desired as, for example, of the character of the ring shown in Fig. 4.. i

As shown in Fig. 9, the cross section of the sealing ring 45 has been converted by the pressure inside the vessel from the true circular section and in the particular embodiment shown, this ring is of a low durometer, which permits the extrusion of the same into tight sealing relation between the closing flange or skirt 43 and the interior of the vessel under the comparatively low pressure within the vessel. Such a low durometer sealing ring may be formed of sponge rubber and the like. 7

The cover or lid 42 may be applied to the vessel 40 with the periphery of the lid resting flat upon the rim 40 of the vessel only in one relative position and this position corresponds to that in which a lug 41 carried by the periphery or rim 40 of the vessel 46 rests within a corresponding recess 48 formed on the underside of the cover 42 near the periphery thereof. This lug 41 is disposed adjacent the inner part of the handle 4l. With the disc or lid 42 thus alined and resting upon the rim 4!! of the vessel 40, a holding or retaining means 50 may be manipulated to engage the upper surface of the lid in the vicinity of the recess 48 and lug 41. This holder or retaining means 50 is in the form of an elongated block which is pivotally fastened to the handle 4| at 55 and the pivotal fastening means is illustrated as a conventional screw pin which passes down through an opening formed in the holder and screw-threadedly engaging a correspondingly screw threaded recess formed in the upper side of the handle 4|. This screw retaining member is provided with a conventional head 52 for engaging a corresponding shoulder formed about the 6 opening in the holder. The 'uppersurfaceiof the handle 4| is'formed with a flat upper surface 4|" corresponding to the under flat surface of the holder 50. Theholder is provided with a finger 50' which when in the full line position shown in Fig. 7 engages the upper surface of the lid 42 at a point adjacent the periphery thereof and adjacent the lug 41. The dotted position in Fig. 7 shows the holder 50 and its holding finger 50' out of engagement with the cover or lid 42. The latter is provided with an uppersurface which is downwardly inclined radially outward near the periphery thereof and accordingly'the holder 50, may be freely actuated without the finger 50 engaging the extreme peripheral edge of the lid to move the finger to the retaining position shown in full lines in Figs. 7 and 8. In the particular embodiment shown, the rear end of the holding or retaining member 50 is provided on its under surface with a locking or retaining lug 54 (Fig. '7,- 8a) which rests in a locking recess 55 on the flat surface 4|, when the holder is in the position ,in alinement with the handle 4|, to engage and hold the lid 42 on one side thereof. This lug 54 is shown in the form of a ball suitably held within but projecting out of a recess 55 into the recess 55 and being biased by a spring 54. This facilitates the 'movements of the holder to and from retaining position. The holder 5!] is provided with a pair of finger-engaging means 56 on the opposite sides thereof to facilitate the movement of theholder 50 in either direction about the pivotal axis 5| to operate the same to released and retaining positions and these finger engaging means 56 are preferably of heat-insulating mate rial as, forexample, a plastic material.

On the diametrically opposite side from the recess 48 the closing sleeve or skirt 43 is provided with a downwardly extending extension 44 so as to engage the inner surface of the pot 40 at a point 58 substantially below the periphery of the skirt at the diametrically opposite point and in the particular embodiment shown this extension tapers off from its lowest point 58 along the line 44 so as to cover only a small arc of the skirt. This limits the tilting movement of the cover or lid required to effect the sealing and holding function against the pressure inthe vessel, with any given play between the skirt andthe inner surface of the vessel, or with the same tilting movement angle this arrangement renders possible a larger play or difference in diameter of the skirt 43 with respect to the interior diameter of the vessel 40. This also saves metal in the cover or lid which may thereby be made of lighter weight.

This embodiment of the invention functions as described above with respect to the other embodi ments. The lid or cover 42 is actually held in closing position against the pressure in the pot or vessel by the interior pressure itself acting to bind the cover in its tilted position with the retaining function carried largely by the binding action at the point SB/the holder or retaining means 50, in the main, functioning to hold the cover or lid in its tiltedposition so as to enable the retention of the cover or lid against the interior pressure by the binding action described. This simplifies the structure without sac riflce'of safety against blowing off the lid.

In Fig. 101 have illustrated my new and improved regulator for regulating the pressure. This comprises a disc weight 60 provided cen trally with a supporting pin 6| carrying.inter-' mediate its. length a conical valve 62. The latter is disposed :.in:a .correspondingly conical shaped valve seat at .the upper .end of an opening -83 .leadingthrough the .cover orlid .42. Thedisc 60 is supported .by the valve 62 slightly above the upper surface of the lid 42 and when the pres- :sure exceeds that predetermined by th weight of the disc 60 the latter is lifted up with the escape of the vapor or steam past the valve 62 with a consequent lowering of the pressure inside the vessel .or consequent prevention of .a .higher pressure. For facilitating the escape of the steam .or vapor one .or more openings 64 are provided in the .disc 60. about the pin 6| which openings register with the valve chamber or opening 63 andprovide for the free escape of .the steamorpressure. .Intheparticular embodimentshownthereare .three of these openings 64. .There is a separate regulator 60 .for each pressure to be maintained as, for example, pounds, 10 pounds, .15 pounds e.tc..and they may bereadily lifted off and replaced by other weights bysimply lifting the valve 62 from the valve chamber 63 and reinserting another. -A.heat insulating ring '60 as for example of some suitable plastic is provided about the periphery of the disc for facilitating removal of a weight without burning the fingers.

.In Fig. 11 I have illustrated a safety fuse disposed in an opening of the lid '42 for further protection against excessive and dangerous pressures inside the vessel. This is in the form of an inverted cup shape member 66 which is retained centrally of the opening by a sealing ring 6'! disposed thereabout and containedin a retaining groove 68 formed in the wall or shoulder 42' .on

the underside .of thelid. The opening is formed by afiange 69 forming a part of .the lid 42 and against this circularfiange 69 rests the bottom of the inverted cupshape fuse member 66 and accordingly the pressure inside the vessel tends topress this fuse member 66 tightly against the under surface of the flange 69. A tight seal is furthermaintained by the sealing ring 61 which may be of any suitablematerial such as rubber, rubberelike materials and compositions, with the pressure tending to spread out the ring body 6'! toform a tight seal between the member 66 and the wall of the opening. The fuse member 66 may be of any suitable material as, for example, copper.

lnFig. .121 have illustrated a novel and improved simple gauge structure forming apart of the knob or handle 10 for handling the cover or lid 42. This .knob therefore forms the housing for the assembly of the gauge mechanism. This knob is provided with a pressure chamber H which communicates with the interior of the vessel through an opening 12 formed in a holding and retaining screw 13 which passes up through an opening 14 formed in the lid 42 and is screwthreadedly attached to the body 10 of the knob by means of a corresponding screw threaded opening leading to the pressure chamber 1| The head of the screw 10 is provided with a bevel or conical surface 13' cooperatively functioning with a correspondingly formed recess at the bottom of the opening 14 formed in the lid 42. By means of this screw the knob 10 is firmly fastened to the upper surface of the lid 42in sealing relation against the escape of fluid pressure. The mechanism .of the gauge includes a disc'diaphragrn 15 disposed across .the chamber H with its periphery 15 embodied in the material of which the knob 'IOis made, as for example a molded pastic material. By thus being embedded a perfect seal isformed against the pressure escaping around the edges :of the diaphragm disc. The disc 15 is .of .any suitable materialas, :for example, copper bronze .and is constrained to occupy one definite position whennot under pressure. .For example. itmay 'be constrained to be .in the lower broken line positionshownin Fig. v12 when no pressure .or appreciable pressure exists in the chamber H. with the full line position corresponding to an intermediate pressure :and the upper broken line position to ;a:higher pressure. However. as the pressure gradually increases the central portion of the diaphragm disc 15 is moved-upwardly as, for example, to the position shown .in dottedlines andthe movementsof the central portion of this .disc .15 aretranslatedinto movements .of .a scale disc 6 havi suitable graduations .or markings .thereontoindicate the-pressures. Thisscale disc 16 is provided with .a centrally disposed center- .ing conical guide llwhich is maintained as described below in a correspondingly shaped bearing .18 formed in a stationary .disc 19. The disc 19 rests upon a shoulder 80.formed in .the enlarged opening formed in the upper part of .the knob 10 and'this disc 19 is heldin position byany suitablemeans as,.for example, by a lock 8| disposed in a grooveabout the opening in the knob and engaging the upper surface near the periphery of the disc 19. A transparent window 82 .is jmounted'within the opening .in the upper part of the gauge 10, this transparent window having its peripheral edge disposed in a groove 63 formed in'the upper part of theknob 10. .In the particular .embodiment shown the window glass 82 .maybe of .Plexiglas which may be readily.inserted and-removed from .the groove 83 .to provide for the assembly of the disc 19, thescale disc .16 and .otherparts of .the mechanism.

Any suitable .mechanism for translating the diaphragm movements to the rotary scale disc may be provideclbutI have. illustrated a simple and improved mechanism comprising a screw threaded stem 85 which is attached to the central portion of the diaphragm '15 in any suitable mannerandis cooperatively connected with the scale disc 16 by means .of a spiral drive orscrew transmission. For this purpose the scale disc I6 isprovided on the underside with an enlarged part 16 and thisportion vHi of the scale disc is provided with a central opening or recess 85 whose wall is provided with a high pitch screw transmission corresponding to a similar high pitch spiral or screw thread formed on the exterior of 'the outer end of the stem'85. In order to retain the disc 16 and its centering pivot TI disposed in the bearing 78 .a spring 8.7 is provided in the upperpart of the recess 86 with one end engaging the upper wall of the recess and the other end engaging the end of the stem 85 so that irrespective of the position of the central portion of the diaphragm disc 75 the scale disc 16, 16 is retained in its uppermost position. But with up .and downmovements of the central portion of the diaphragm 75 corresponding to changes in pressure, corresponding but large angular movements are transmitted from the diaphragm to the scale disc 75. The stem 85.may be fastened to the central portion of the diaphragm 15 in any .suitable manner as, for example, by welding. The diaphragm 15 is purposely diagrammatically illustrated and it is understood that it is of any conventional construction permitting the central portion to move up and down inresponse to pressures Without interference withthe anchoring of the peripheral edge permit the movements of the-central portion of the diaphragm without necessity-of stretching the'metal'of the'diaphragm. It is understood also that the high pitch spiral of the screw drive between the stem 85' and the member 16' is diagrammatically illustrated. The fixed disc 19 may 7 be of any suitable material transparent or opaque and in the particular embodiment shown in Fig.

'7 I have shown this disc asbeingopaqu'e. and having a suitable opening therein for registering with the numbers on the movable scale disc 16.

In the embodiment of Fig. 12a I have illustrated the chamber H as being form edin a separate removable plug- 90 which is screwthreadedly attached to the open central lower portion of-the knob 'lfl witlithe portion :of the diaphragm 75 near the periphery thereof disposed b'etweenthe upper end of this plug- 9!! and a shoulder formedin the main body of the knob 10. This renders possible the removal of the plug 90 with access to the diaphragm disc and the removal of the same for replacement. In this case the diaphragmdisc may 'be sealed firmly in position by plastic cement against the shoulder formed in the knob 10'.

In Figs. 1 to 9 the vessel and closure are show of cylindrical shape. Fig. 13 shows the invention embodied in an oblong shaped vessel and Fig. 14 in a rectangular shaped vessel.

This application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial No. 531,528 filed April 17, 1944.

I claim: I

1. In a pressure cooker, a cylindrical open top vessel having an inner cylindrical shape extending downwardly from the rim thereof, a closure for said vessel resting on the rim thereof and having a cylindrical closing surface disposed generally concentrically with the inner cylindrical surface of the vessel and loosely fitting and extending downwardly into said vessel said inner cylindrical surface being at least substantially coextensive with said cylindrical closing surface, said cylindrical closing surface having sealing means on the outer surface thereof for engaging and forming a tight seal with the interior of the vessel said vessel having means only on one side thereof and engaging only one side of said closure for holding the same upon the rim of the vessel but permitting tilting of the closure thereabout, said cylindrical closing surface being adapted upon tilting movement to bind against the interior of the vessel and thereby to hold the closure in position against the pressure inside the cooker.

2. In a pressure cooker having a cylindrical open top vessel having an inner cylindrical surface extending downwardly from the rim thereof and a handle fastened to the side wall of the vessel at a point adjacent the rim thereof, a closure for said cooker comprising a disc having a depending closing flange loosely fitting and extending down into said vessel and disposed generally concentrically with the inner cylindrical surface of said vessel, said inner cylindrical surface being at least substantially coextensive with said flange, said flange having a circular groove formed in the outer peripheral surface thereof in a plane intermediate the disc and the lower edge of the flange, a removable sealing ring disposed in said groove and projecting outwardly beyond the peripheral surface of the flange and anion 'sealingly engaging the interior of the vessel, and

a U-shapedv holding member on only one side of said vesselembracing said. handle at a point adjacent the'pot and having the legs thereof bent over at their ends and engaging only one side of the closure to hold onesid-e thereof against the rim of the vessel with the opposite side of the closure being slightlytilt-able responsively to the pressure within the vessel to cause the flange tobind'against the interior of the opposite side of the vessel. p 1 -3.' A pressure cooker comprising an open top vessel having an inner cylindrical surface extending downwardly from the rim thereof and having a handle fastened to the side wall thereof at a point adjacent the'rim and projecting out-r wardly therefrom, a closure for said vessel having afclo'sing i iange loosely fitting and extending down into said vessel and disposed generally concentrically with the inner cylindrical surface of said vessel, said inner cylindrical surface being at least substantially coextensive with said flange, said flange having a groove formed on the outer surface thereof in a plane intermediate the width of the flange, a sealing ring disposed in said groove and projecting outwardly beyond the, pe-

ripheralsurface of the flange and sealinglyengaging the interior of the vessel, and a holding device on only one side of said vessel comprising a U-part straddling said handle at a point adjacent the vessel and having the legs of the U bent over at substantially right angles and loosely engaging only one side of the closure to hold one side thereof upon the rim of the vessel, the side of the closure diametrically opposite the handle being held by the tilting action thereof and the binding of the flange against the interior of the vessel. I

4. In a pressure cooker a cylindrical open top vessel having an inner cylindrical surface extending downwardly from the rim thereof having a handle fastened to the side wall thereof at a point adjacent the rim thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom, a closure for said vessel comprising a disc having a closing skirt loosely fitting and extending down into said vessel and disposed generally concentrically'with the inner cylindrical surface of said vessel, said inner cylindrical surface being at least substantially coextensive with said skirt, said skirt having a compressible and resilient sealing ring on its outer periphery at a point intermediate the disc and the lower end of the skirt, said sealing ring projecting outwardly beyond the peripheral surface of the skirt and seaiingly engaging the interior of the vessel, and an integrally formed holding member on only one side of said vessel comprising a U-par-t disposed in a groove formed on the underside of the handle at a point adjacent the point of fastening to the vessel and parallel arm parts turned at approximately right angles to the U-part and engaging the upper surface of the disc on only one side for holding the same, the other side of the closure being held by the tilting action of the closure and the binding of the flange against the interior of the vessel.

'5. A pressure cooker of the character set forth in claim 1, having a closure for cylindrical open top cooking vessels of different diameters having radially spaced surfaces for supporting the closure upon a vessel, closing surfaces disposed adjacent said supporting surfaces and disposed at right angles thereto, said closing surfaces having circular grooves formed on the exterior surfaces thereof in planes intermediate the respective supporting surfaces and the lower edges of the closing surfaces, said grooves being adapted to receive sealing rings, and said closure having means on one side thereof for loosely attaching thereto a holder, said closure being slightly tiltable on the vessel to cause a corresponding closing surface to bind against the interior thereof.

6. In a pressure cooker, a vessel having a handle adjacent the rim thereof, a closing lid on said vessel, said lid having underneath a closing flange extending down into the vessel and having a clearance therewith permitting tilting of the lid with respect to the vessel, said closing flange carrying a sealing ring for engaging the interior surface of the vessel and sealing the same when the lid is tilted, said lid and vessel having aligning means preventing the lid resting upon the rim of the vessel except in a predetermined position, a single holder pivotally attached to said handle and adapted in one position to engage and hold one side of the lid, the flange having at the opposite side of the lid an extension so that when the lid is tilted under the influence of pressure and the holder, the lowermost edge of the extension is caused to engage the interior surface of the wall of the vessel with a binding and holding action, said flange extension being divergently tapered from the lowermost part thereof and said holder 12 being provided with locking means between the holder and the handle when in a position to hold the lid, said lid being beveled oif near its peripheral edge on its upper surface to facilitate the actuation of the holder into locking position and said means being disposed adjacent the holder.

JEROME L. MURRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

